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Published on April 30, 2015

Sport Psychology Presentation Designed to Help Athletes Improve Their Game

SIOUX FALLS (May 1, 2015) – Avera Sports and Peak Performance South Dakota will sponsor a presentation by Jinnie Cristerna, LCSW, CHT, noted psychotherapist and sport psychology advisor for USA Taekwondo, on Friday, May 15, at 6 p.m. in the Sr. Colman Room in the Prairie Center on the campus of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls.

The presentation, “Learning How to Effectively Use Visualization and Self-Talk in Sports,” is for athletes, age 9 through adult, as well as coaches. Attendees will:

Learn how to relax their mind and visualize their performance

Participate in live meditation and visualization sessions

Learn how to deal with fear and performance anxiety

There will also be open time for questions and answers.

Cristerna is an author and mental health expert for national and international media outlets. She holds a degree from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. Her perspectives have been featured in Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine, NPR Radio, CBS News, ABC News, Jet Magazine and numerous other media outlets.

“Sport psychology is a good way to help athletes think about the way they play so they can compete at the top of their game. They will understand the importance of having a clear mind and how to use that advantage during a game,” Cristerna said.

Attendees will learn how to identify if they are experiencing a performance-related issue or psychological roadblock. “They will learn how to develop a strong foundation to build confidence, consistency and persistence. They will also learn how to let go of setbacks and mistakes, learn from those mistakes and setbacks, and own their performance so they can get better,” Cristerna said.

The event is open to the public; cost of registration is $25. To register, please call 605-271-9699 or email jp.sdsmaa@gmail.com.